PDubHockey’s 2026 Winter Olympic roster projection for Team Czechia

Team Czechia arrives at the 2026 Winter Olympics with legitimate aspirations of capturing its first-ever medal. Back-to-back bronze finishes at the World Championships since 2022 have established Czechia as a legitimate threat to the traditional medal powers, and roster continuity heading into Milano Cortina suggests this could be the breakthrough moment.

The Czech program’s upward trajectory has long been driven by strategic player placement in North American professional and collegiate environments. With the PWHL’s 2025 first overall selection starring in the roster and emerging depth throughout the lineup, Czechia has some serious competitors among their ranks. PDub Hockey projects the 23-player Olympic roster for Team Czechia that will chase history in Italy.

Forwards

Czechia’s offensive identity centres on Kristyna Kaltounkova whose elite skating and playmaking ability make her the roster’s most dangerous weapon. She is projected to anchor the top line alongside Katerina Mrazova and Adela Sapovalivova, forming a unit capable of generating offence against any defensive pairing.

The secondary scoring group is expected to feature established international performers. Natalie Mlynkova, Michaela Pejzlova and Tereza Vanisova provide the second-line punch there, combining professional experience with proven chemistry. This trio has delivered consistently in tournament settings and will be tasked with exploiting matchup advantages.

In Czechia’s depth lines, Denisa Krizova centres Klara Hymlarova and Tereza Plosova on a checking-oriented third line built to suppress opposing top units. The fourth line projects as Tereza Pistekova, Vendula Pribylova and Barbora Juříčková as a group that provides energy and defensive zone coverage in limited minutes.

Linda Vocetkova is projected as the 13th forward who will bring versatility across multiple positions and special teams deployment. The final forward spots represent Czechia’s only genuine roster competition, though the gap between candidates has narrowed as the Olympic roster deadline approaches.

Defence

Czechia’s blue line features Aneta Tejralova and Daniela Pejsova as the top pairing who will be handling heavy minutes against elite competition and head penalty-killing units. Both defenders excel in transition and provide offensive activation when opportunities present themselves.

Andrea Trnkova and Dominika Laskova comprise the second pairing, balancing defensive responsibility with offensive instincts. This unit logs significant ice time and can shift between shutdown and support roles depending on the game state.

Sara Cajanova and Noemi Neubauerova are projected as the third pairing. Klara Seroiszkova rounds out the defensive group as the seventh option.

It is true that Czechia’s defensive structure lacks the individual star power of medal favourites, but the group’s collective ceiling will determine whether Czechia can advance deep into bracket play.

Goaltending

Klara Peslarova, of course, enters the Olympics as Czechia’s established starter. Her tournament experience and technical consistency make her the cornerstone of any potential medal run. Peslarova’s ability to steal games against superior opponents has been demonstrated repeatedly in international play.

Michaela Hesova will serve as the projected backup. Her role will likely be limited to group-stage appearances unless injury or performance forces a change.

Julie Pejšová is projected as the third goaltender, filling a depth role with minimal expectation of game action.

PDub Hockey projected Team Czechia Olympic roster

Forwards:

Klara Hymlarova, Barbora Juříčková, Kristyna Kaltounkova, Denisa Krizova, Natalie Mlynkova, Katerina Mrazova, Michaela Pejzlova, Tereza Pistekova, Tereza Plosova, Vendula Pribylova, Adela Sapovalivova, Tereza Vanisova, Linda Vocetkova.

Defenders:

Sara Cajanova, Dominika Laskova, Noemi Neubauerova, Daniela Pejsova, Klara Seroiszkova, Aneta Tejralova, Andrea Trnkova.

Goaltenders:

Michaela Hesova, Julie Pejšová, Klara Peslarova.

Czechia’s roster has a mix of PWHL talent and NCAA-trained players as a cohesive unit capable of executing structured hockey while capitalizing on transition opportunities. History awaits them if they dare to seize it in Italy.

Olympic roster projections

Follow along and check out all of PDub Hockey’s 2026 Winter Olympics roster projections here:

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